An invigorating, powerful voice, enriching lyrics, and a remarkable stage presence are hallmarks
of singer/songwriter Evonne Rivera.
Influenced by such artists as Etta James, Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin, Evonne Rivera's music
is filled with soulful, Old School energy and captivating hooks.
No stranger to the stage, Evonne previously performed before packed audiences, in renowned venues
throughout Los Angeles such as The House of Blues, The El Rey Theatre and The Viper Room, as the back-up vocalist in the acclaimed,
speak-easy jazz show, The Toledo Show.
In search of finding her own sound, Evonne left The Toledo Show to form the band Ragdoll, and performed
as the lead singer and songwriter throughout Los Angeles and Pasadena in popular venues such as Luna Park, The Baked Potato
and The Joint.
After becoming pregnant, Evonne took a break from performing live to focus on being a mother. However,
determined to learn more about the business of music, Evonne soon acquired three-years of experience as a record promoter
for commercial radio.
Ready to reveal her passion and story to the world, Evonne started her own independent label, Sweet
Bottom Records, in 2004 and began working with Grammy nominated songwriter and producer Rodney Shelton.
Evonne Rivera released her first 3-song EP in February, 2005 which was nominated as "Best Adult
Alternative Album of the Year" for the 2005 LA Music Awards!
Evonne then performed once again throughout Los Angeles in some of LA's premier venues including
The Cinegrill, Monsoon Cafe, B.B. King's and The Key Club.
On June 13th, 2006, Evonne released her debut album titled "WHAT IF", which includes the talents
of renowned drummer Gerry Brown (Stevie Wonder, Lionel Ritchie, Diana Ross), and bass player C.C. Thomas Jr. (Babyface, Diana
Ross, Smokey Robinson).
Evonne also re-recorded her song "Freedom" to be featured on the Women On The Move compilation
CD, titled "Beautiful", released in July 2007 by Red Cayote Records.
After taking some time off to have her second child in late 2006, Evonne Rivera began performing
once again, as part of the "Women on the Move, "Beautiful" Tour", raising funds for Domestic Violence Women Shelters throughout
the state of California.
Recently, Evonne was described as one of "LA's most promising independent artists" by LA Women
In Music (LAWIM), named a finalist for their highly esteemed Comet Award and her song “Unsteady” is featured on
the LAWIM “Best Of The Best” Compilation Cd!
Evonne has also been named one of Music Connection Magazine's “Hot 100 Unsigned Artists"
in the nation!
Last Fall, Evonne Rivera headlined Benefit By The Sea, a concert benefiting Harvest Home, the maternity
home she lived in herself when pregnant with her first child!
The concert was a huge success, raising over $35,000, and was broadcast Live on GoGirlsMusicFest.com,
kicking off the 2009 GoGirlsMusicFest which Evonne co-coordinated with founder Madalyn Sklar and Annette Conlon! The Fest
featured numerous independent female artists in 11 concerts nationwide, raising awareness and funds for maternity homes across
the country!
Evonne Rivera is now taking some time off from performing live to focus on writing and recording
new songs for her next album, scheduled to be released later this year!
However, you can find Evonne occasionally performing with other groups throughout Los Angeles such as
Present Tense, Gerry Brown and The Bailouts, Sister Supreme and LA County's Total Praise Community Gospel Choir.
EDUCATION:
Attended American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, CA.
Alumnus of Musician's Institute
in Hollywood, CA.